I’ve received enough negative feedback about the cover for my novel (fantasy adventure) that I’ve decided to change it and hire an artist. I’m strongly considering one based on this picture- but I have no art experience and I’m not sure if I trust my instincts. The artist has an idea that sounds great to me, and the style of the linked-to piece above fits my novel pretty closely.
Is it good art? More importantly, would something like it, by the same artist, be a good cover for a fantasy adventure novel? Thanks for your opinions.
It’s not BAD, but it is not my style nor a style I associate with fantasy adventure. IMHO, and all that.
That particular piece probably wouldn’t work, because the spine of the book would cut through the center, where the focal point is, so it would have to be a different kind of work.
Can we see the art for your current novel as a comparison?
You can see the existing cover here. Most of the complaints have been that potential readers think it is a children’s or YA book, which it is definitely not.
I’m not worried about the layout with respect to spine/back and such- the main picture will be only on the front cover (and more importantly, the ebook), and the spine and back of the paperback will be separate.
Yeah, I would say that the current cover isn’t too hot.
I would think about going maybe minimalist. I always find those striking. A black cover with the title prominently featured ans some minimal artwork that is more abstract, a silhouette or a line drawing. That’s just me though. I would stay away from too literal, that’s what may make it seem like a YA book.
Thanks for the feedback. Another artist I’m considering is here. He doesn’t have anything that jumps out at me, but at least he has lots of experience.
My budget is pretty small, and the two artists I’ve linked to seem to be the best I can find in my range. Right now I’m leaning towards the first guy, who did the picture with the big ship in the sand, but I’m not absolutely sure yet.
I think it was the somewhat cartoony and colorful (not to mention amateurish, perhaps) style that made it seem like a YA book. I’ve also thought of a minimalist cover, but I think an intriguing and mysterious scene might be better.
As I said in another thread, I’d be just as happy with no cover at all. Just a blue stripe text box that says “Title; by Author.” Gangster Octopus’ idea of a minimal, stark, graphics and abstract cover also appeals to me.
Cover art is always tricky anyway. Half the time it has no relationship to the story at all…and half the time it gives away a key plot element, spoiling the surprise! I’ve read no few murder mysteries where the goddam cover art gave away the solution!
One thing to keep in mind–if you’re primarily selling ebooks, it’s always good if your cover grabs people from thumbnail size, which means there are arguments for making it simple. I’ve also heard arguments that people don’t buy ebooks for the cover (can you tell I’ve been going through the same process lately? :D)
Another thing–I read your book, and IIRC there wasn’t really a whole lot of what I’d call “fantasy” in it, in the sense of odd races, magic, fantastic creatures, that sort of thing. I thought it was a solid, episodic nautical adventure story in the old-fashioned tradition. I don’t think your book is going to pull in the teen girls, but it could easily sell to teen boys and men who like tales of derring-do and pirates without a lot of romantic stuff mucking it up :). I think your cover should play up the “nautical adventure” aspect of the book so as not to mislead people into thinking it’s something it isn’t.
I like the first cover with the ship, BTW. Very nice. Not sure that specific one would work for a book cover (especially for an ebook where you don’t have a wraparound), but something in that vein would be quite nice.
If your book is an adult, not very fantasy-ish nautical adventure, how about something like the art on thispage of collected “sailing ships” artists?
I like the first image you provided, but it has a very powerful emotional feel to it - dreary and despairing and solemn. A rollicking sea adventure ought to have a cover that is a little more adventurous and inspiring and positive-feeling.
I have to admit this, though I’m probably one of the few people who still remembers it: When I first saw your original cover, iiandyiiii, the first thing that popped into my mind was this:
Needless to say, I’m really glad to see you’re getting it a better cover. No offense to your original artist and I doubt that many people are going to remember a 30-something-year-old one-off Peanuts joke, but I think something a little more professional would do your story much more justice.
This looks like concept art. It’s unfinished, and just a scribble of an idea that is a good starting point for a finished work. It wouldn’t be appropriate for a cover as -is, the artist would need to put a few more definitive details in to get to that point.
However, if you like the “loose” style, then this second choice:
…is definitely along the right lines. It’s more confident and complete in style, though still very roughh and general in its stylistic approach, with splashes and swatches of colour judiciously applied.
But thematically that art looks more suited for dark stories, like horror or thriller novels. If what you have is a regular adventure story, as Infovore describes, meant for all ages, then I would go for something brighter and more vivid, if not more detailed, sort of like this, this, this, or this. Or if you want to go simpler and more symbolic, this or this.
My own tastes are coming heavily into play here, of course. But perhaps there are some images that inspire you at least.
